Life is not just about the race

Everything just seems to fall almost perfectly during the past long weekend. From the staycation @ MBS with not too packed itinerary, to (convincing and) bringing my parents to River Safari & Zoo to see pandas and koala bears respectively, to having some "me" time to explore SAM (bcoz of school's stuff) and "strolling around", to finally having (rare) dinner outside with my brother ...Ah.:) I wish that more of these can happen, and I know that effort and time are needed to be put in, in exchange for such sweet memories:)) Cherish time. Treasure memories. :) 

A reminder to self that I should treasure every little moment with all my closest people together, and to enjoy those little moments. Sometimes, we are overly concerned by the things lie ahead of us, and we forgot to sit back, relax and live in the moment. Today, I thought it would be a super gloomy working day with aching muscles. I told myself (and bf reminded me again) to take everything in its stride and let the flow goes without "over-exerting" too much. The effect? The end of the day turns out to be a pretty good Monday:) 惜福 Tend to be more sensitive to issues concerning cancer recently, and tears might well up once in awhile. Hope sj's dad's condition will stabalize soon. Jiayou sj's dad and sj's family.

Feeling a little down and so, I decided to use my laptop for a little while. And woah, I happened to chance upon some msn convo which I have chosen to save because I don't want too forget the details or the entire convo with those people. With every word document that I have opened, I found myself smiling, silently giggling and also, moving nearly to tears while recalling those past fond memories. I guess the ones which have impacted greatly on me would be YM and MQ's convo. Recently, I have been seeing Ivan & HK's photo, and Jack & Sarah's photo on facebook (and now, YM's convo). All these just made me ponder how things will be different if I were to be with either of another guy, be it Jack, Ivan or YM. It is not that I am having negative thoughts about my current r/s, but the decision to get tgt with someone is really crucial, and that decision also signifies a promise to commit wholeheartedly to the relationship. And I am quite glad that CL and I have ...

"With the proliferation of Information & Communication Technology (ICT), more and more people are getting more interconnected, and will be able to keep themselves updated with the "first-hand" news happening around the world." I still vaguely remember that I used to write that for my GP essay when the topic is on ICT. Although I have my own train of thought and set of argument, I used to be always stuck in writing such argumentative essay. Lack of  current affair knowledge and critical thinking in me, I would say. During the JC days, I used to find that reading up on current affair was a chore. With the intimidation by feary Mr Tan, I forced myself to read newspaper and even wake up at 5.30a.m in the morning to listen to the BBC news especially when there was GP lesson that particular day. All I could recall was the hard time trying to remember the facts- which I forgot they are, but the only one I know is about Haiti because Mr Tan actually drew out part of t...

It's like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do And with every step together, we just keep on getting better So can I have this dance (can I have this dance) Can I have this dance?:) Am still in love with this song and feeling 幸福 hearing it=D

Finally, it is my turn today to be at NMS, walking in the memorial exhibition about Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I was wondering when would be the best time for me to go one day, and it was by chance that I went today after buying Father's day present for my dad. I don't know whether I was ready to walk through this memorial exhibition, my heart was feeling kind of emotional when I was nearing the gallery walk. To say the truth, I seldom make "great" effort to read though every word I see from the board in museums, unless I am really interested in them. But I did this time, reading both English and Chinese words. (I am proud that I am still able to read almost all Chinese characters:DD..but not so for arO xP) I was really captivated by the story that I was reading along the gallery walk, and took longer glances at Mr Lee's belongings.The videos and his voice played were still as inspirational, regardless of how many times I have listened.  He was a man, who have decided ...

Finally June holiday has arrived, and the best thing is that I don't have to go back for any meeting during the one month break. Only for this time, for our March holiday was committed to school stuff. It would be a perfect time for holiday, BUT I choose to stay in Singapore in the end (despite contemplation to go on  solo trip). Oh well.. reason that I have given was that I just returned back to Singapore from US, so don't want to travel so fast again. But I think procrastination is the main culprit:X Although I will be staying in for one month, I am glad that I have followed what I have planned for myself pretty fine:3 From meeting up with friends to cooking/baking spree with my mum, to being active by running at least twice per week, I am proud that I have followed through pretty well:D More exciting things ahead, with 2 upcoming staycation and other activities which I am still planning!:) Hope it will be a GREAT one month break  for me! Haha. On a side note, I am prett...

Earlier this year, I have received an email regarding Destination Imagination Singapore, and the opportunity to go to University of Tennessee in United States if the group gets top in the categories. Recalling the thought which I had when I saw this email, my eyes lighted up in delight, thinking, " Wahh..能去就好!".  3 weeks ago, 我真的 "圆梦" :3 It was really un-un unbelievable to be given such a golden opportunity to travel so faraway with students and teachers. I was having self-doubt initially when cl and my 8.1 strongly encouraged me to go. Nevertheless, their "去啦！" really pushed me to move out of my comfort zone to explore the world out there, no regrets:D From the pre- to post- trip, there were different ups and downs along the journey. I would not want to blame anybody here, but the different segments of the experiences made me learn alot of intangible lessons. I guess the main takeaway would be to be firm in my decisions and instructions given to ...

Sunday marks the end of Mr Lee's final journey. Throughout the last week, everyday seems to be  trying day for me, as a Singapore citizen, and as a teacher. I mourned and cried buckets of tears for Mr Lee like what others did, yet, I needed to be brave and professional in front of my students, and not crying.  My usually chatty father who loves to talk about political and current affairs, fell into unusual silence and read through  articles about Mr Lee at one corner. It was a really an unusual sight to see him behaving that way and I that he didn't comment anything about Mr Lee's passing. My father was also mourning, too. With Mr Lee's passing, Singapore has become the attention across the world. We can see clearly see the extent which Mr Lee has impacted beyond Singapore. I am deeply touched by the strong determination by fellow Singaporeans while Q-ing at Padang to pay last respect to Mr Lee, as well as grateful to the the army and volunteer helpers who maintain...

At this very moment, I am q-ing outside the Instana. The queue is really long, and I am actually in the queue outside PS. It really touching to see how so many of us stood patiently for their turn, and I believe Mr Lee is also touched in another world:') Yesterday was a really trying day for me, to manage my emotions upon hearing the passing of Mr Lee when I woke up from my sleep. I guessed I was right, to have a vibe about this happening when there was a really loud thunder and lightening at SGH yesterday. It might be, a sign. The toughest part for me was to actually travel to school with a heavy heart, to hear my Principal telling the school about the passing of Mr Lee, to seeing the flag half-flown and having one minute of silence. My colleagues teared. I teared, uncontrobally. I needed to tell myself to control them so that I would be able to talk to my students about it later on. Nevertheless, I was not ready and my co-form helped to facilitate the discussion. My hear...

I should have been more mean and firm. I should have heeded advices and not go school last Friday. I regretted to put myself in the messy situation which put me off quite abit. Nevertheless, the Friday night (with my closest friends), as well as subsequent weekend days were much better although some were not according to plans. I think thinking-cum-planning flexibly and positively do make great differences and wonder after all:) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Today, CL and I decided to go to SGH to "visit MM Lee" under heavy downpour, and I was feeling disheartening to hear that his condition has worsened.  As we didn't prepare any card nor flowers, I have decided to make use of the available resources in my bag to write something for MM Lee- A sachet bag with paper-made roses, hearts and letter from us. At the moment when there was frequent lightening and loud thunder, my hands were fee...

最近， 听见很多传闻李光耀先生病情危急，在加护病房留院观察. 心里蛮担心不安的 :'/ 对于有些人的紧张担心, 我感同生受 :/ 对于有些人 胡乱猜疑, 我感到害怕又气愤 :'/ 对于有些人乘机乱造谣不好听的话, 我更是为李光耀先生打抱不平 >: / 希望外面的情况不会影响他的病情. Although most people hope that he will have a speedy recovery, others feel that he will not recover. Regardless of anything and everything, I just hope that the social media and other people would just leave him and his family alone, to let him recuperate, or otherwise, make an "exit" in the hospital peacefully. "Even from my sick bed, if you are going to lower me down to the grave and I feel something is wrong, I will get up." "There is an end to everything and I want mine to come as quickly and painlessly as possible, not with me incapacitated,  half in coma in bed,, and with a tube going into my nostrils and down to my stomach." Recently, I have been reading up news about MM Lee and his past. While some may blame him for being the bad guy and sacrificing Singaporeans' freedom, ...

我不是 沉默的羔羊　 我有话 要讲　 给我 一点酒　 让我 有勇气　 向你吐露 我的悲伤　 That negative mentality continues to stay in my mind, as I told myself that I will sort it out once and for all someday, soon. To say the truth, it is not really THAT stressed as the work is not that much throughout the week~ After years and past months of attempts to stay positive by thinking different on the brighter side of different pathway to work towards to, 心里总是带着无奈. Imagine you are just always worrying about not able to do as good job as the rest. Imagine you are always worrying and getting nervous for lessons although you have spent so much time preparing for them. Imagine you still feeling sunday and monday blues before the end of that day comes. Imagine you always wanting to count down to the end of 4-year bond, but you resisted because you don't want to make yourself sound so miserable. Imagine you are still thinking negatively despite all the attempts to think positive and working out different pathways to what you ...

Release my tears while running 3 days back.  Imagine the thought of self-questioning. Imagine the thought of giving up. I thought that I would get over it if I have a plan to move on from where I am.  But the fact is,  I will still face with the emotional period, especially when there are many things happening regardless of everything and anything. Although everything will be okay (with some positive thoughts), it is pretty tiring and torturing to go through such emotional turbulence over and over again. I wonder how I had been through the 4 years of study in NIE, and wonder how I will be able to go through another 4 years in schools. If I am always having the hidden negativity despite my attempted positivity with my job, does it mean that I should change..or quit? Why am I mentally torturing myself? When would I get over it completely? "Everything will be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it is not the end."

Work   The first two months of the year has been quite a roller coaster ride for me as I have more responsibilities at hand and need to be readily prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Nevertheless, I feel lucky to have some 贵 人 around, to support and cheer me up somehow when I am feeling down and stressed. I am also quite glad that I have overcome the "frustrated-with- my-mentor" stage and have a closer relationship working with her:) I used to be silently turned off by what she did and said, however, I am glad that my patience has made me realized and see her from another positive perspective, and I am really pretty proud of that:)) I used to my posting to CGSS for granted and was hoping to be transferred out of this school because I am alone. Nevertheless, through the conversation I heard from my practicum friends (they are in the same school), I feel fortunate that I do not have to face with the huge challenges with students and colleagues, or least not as much...

Some motivational QOTDs to start off the new year: "Don't put your life on hold so that you can dwell on the unfairness of the past hurts".. "Focus on your dream and do everything in your power. You have the life to change the life circumstances".."If you can't get the miracle, become one." -Nick Vujicic Let's start slow and finish strong!:))

As always, September is my all-time favorite month:) Not only bcoz it's my birthday month, but there's teachers' day and September holiday:) This was my very first time celebrating teachers' day as a teacher!:D I felt really excited and had looked forward to it very much. I am really touched by my form class students, who gave me birthday surprise early in the morning with sweet messages on the board, as well as the teachers' day presents. The girls were really sweet, and their gratitude towards the teachers were overwhelming yet heartwarming. The teachers' day message written by my form class touched the most bottom of my heart, and made me realize the teacher that I believe one should be, and what I want to be:') I didnt really enjoy USS as much with the teachers, mainly bcoz I am not very shou with most teachers, but I am glad that I have 3 close colleagues whom I took rides together with. Although you all might not see my blog, but thanks alot for y...

I am really really glad and grateful to have attended the 2-day course (thanks to gwen), for I discover more about myself, what I wish to do, and who I wish to become:) To say the truth, the past 2-day course was quite emotionally tough for me as I found myself needing to fight back against my tears when I listened to stories from instructors, friends, and fellow colleagues. It really got me thinking a lot about what I really want out of what I am learning and doing. Yvonne is my new inspiration- Many a time, I found myself having a roller coaster sort of feeling when I listened to her emotional stories. I am truly moved, inspired and enlightened. (However...Is it a 3-minute impulse? Am I up to it?) I never feel so motivated before ever since I entered into NIE. The thought that it fits so perfectly to the person I hope I can be and I can do is my greatest motivation right now to start my engine (which was faulty since 4 years ago). Of course, I do aware that it might be a great ...

It has been hectic week for me recently. Though tired and burnt out, I wouldnt trade it for anything else bcoz there will not be another round of such experiences again:) On the 4th August: I have finally GRADUATED!:') This is the day, not for myself, but for my dearest parents who were looking exceptionally happy and excited. I really loved seeing them beaming with joy as they witnessed my entire graduation day-  from wearing my graduation gowns to going up on stage & receive my grad cert to taking pictures together:') To say the truth, I was initially dreading the graduation ceremonies bcoz I was thinking how sad I would be not having alot of graduating friends to take pic tgt and yet, have to see the rest taking so many pictures with their other course mates :l However, my thoughts changed when my parents excitedly asking me how we were going to the campus and when I saw in the wadsapp how 8.1 were planning to meet me in NTU:') On this big day, I really fee...

For the one month since I started out working, I felt the greatest sense of satisfaction from doing volunteering work for school and public over the past weekend:)  (although I feel that I could have contribute more) I wish I can do more, to influence and better lives, be it physically or mentally. That's why I hope to learn some first-aid skill (somewhere in the future) to protect/save lives, besides bettering the skill of educating to inculcate right values in people. The thought of doctors without border came to my mind, and I wondered if there is teachers without border too. To my surprise, there actually is!:D But ohh man how I wish the 4-year bond doesn't exist, and that I am free to make any further decision for this stage of my life:/ Nevertheless, Ming Hui let's be optimistic! I should start out by focusing on influencing and bettering lives locally, before I can do so internationally right?? :) When the time comes such that I am able to put down cer...